Successful golf courses are a combination of several factors:
Client Goals
A project cannot ultimately be successful if it doesn’t meet the goals and requirements of the client. The designer should thoroughly understand the clients overall vision for the project and the golf course, and this vision can vary greatly from project to project. A crucial part of this vision, that is directly related to the golf course, is the target market of the project. An extremely difficult golf course will not sit well with the majority of average golfers, and likewise a very soft, or easy course will not be seen positively by better players. Thus the ultimate challenge, a design that is both fun and challenging for all skill levels. Budgets for golf course construction are as varied as the properties they are built on, but every client wants the best course they can get for their money. It should be the goal of the designer to provide this very thing.
Routing Plan
The routing plan is extremely important and sets the tone for the whole project. A properly routed golf course should conform, and take advantage of the natural contours and features of the land. Routing a golf course in this manner will not only create a more interesting design, but also a less costly course to build. For projects with a real estate component the routing is critical in creating the maximum value for the surrounding development.
Construction Drawings
These drawings are the basic framework of the golf course design. Properly done they will assist in accurate cost estimating, bidding of the work, and can minimize the need for costly changes during construction.
Design Field Work
The heart and soul of a golf course is most often found in the small things, and these are usually found on the ground, not on a piece of paper. The designer must thoroughly analyze the site before and during construction to take advantage of opportunities to improve and create interest in the course.
As they say, it’s all in the details.